Shrub Rose Plant Named &#39;Radsouth&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct shrub rose plant is provided that abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive single pink blossoms. The plant exhibits vigorous vegetation and a mounding and bushy growth habit. The ornamental foliage is dark green with a semi-glossy finish. Good resistance to blackspot has been experienced. The plant is well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in parks and gardens.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Rosa hybrida /Shrub Rose Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

cv. Radsweet

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Rosa hybrida landscape shrub rose plant of the present invention was created during 2002 at Greenfield, Wis., U.S.A., by artificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previously had been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desired characteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was the ‘Radrise2’ variety (non-patented in the United States). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety was the ‘Radcor’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,346). The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:

‘Radrise2’×‘Radcor’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and small plants were obtained which were physically and biologically different from each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of a single plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new Landscape Shrub rose plant of the present invention possesses the following combination of characteristics:

(a) abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive single pink blossoms,

(b) exhibits a mounding and bushy growth habit,

(c) forms vigorous vegetation,

(d) forms attractive ornamental dark green foliage with a semi-glossy finish, and

(e) exhibits excellent resistance to blackspot.

A new rose variety is provided which bears attractive single pink blossoms combined with substantially continuous blooming and blackspot resistance.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. It can be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, public areas, and in residential settings. The new variety is particularly well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape. The pink blossom color contrasts nicely with the semi-glossy dark green foliage.

The new variety of the present invention also can be readily distinguished from its ancestors. More specifically, the ‘Radcor’ variety displays lighter coral pink blossoms, with a strong yellow center, while the blossoms of the new variety are darker pink with a slight cream to yellow center. The new variety of the present invention also can be readily distinguished from the ‘Radcon’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,070) upon an inspection of the blossoms. More specifically, the blossoms of the new variety are considerably darker pink than those of the ‘Radcon’ variety.

Additionally, the new variety can be readily distinguished from the ‘Radrazz’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,836) and the ‘Meipotal’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,841) upon an inspection of the blossom color. The blossoms of the ‘Radrazz’ variety are cherry red in coloration, and those of the ‘Meipotal’ variety are pink with white eyes.

The characteristics of the new variety have been found at Wasco, Calif., U.S.A., to be homogeneous and stable and to be strictly transmissible by asexual propagation, such as budding, grafting, and the rooting of cuttings from one generation to another. The new variety reproduces in a true-to-type manner by such asexual propagation.

The new variety has been named ‘Radsouth’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character, a row of typical flowering plants of the new variety. The illustrated rose plants of the new variety were approximately two years of age and were observed during June while growing outdoors near West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is that of the Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart), London, England. The description is based on the observation of two-year-old specimens of the new variety during June while growing outside on their own roots near West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

-   Class: Landscape Shrub. -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—approximately 2.5 feet on average at the end of the             growing season.         -   Width.—approximately 4 feet on average at the end of one             growing season.         -   Habit.—mounding and bushy. -   Branches:     -   -   Color.—near Yellow-Green Group 145A.         -   Main branches.—commonly up to approximately 5 mm in             diameter.         -   Secondary branches.—commonly up to approximately 3 mm in             diameter.         -   Thorns .—size: approximately 1 cm in length perpendicular to             the stem, approximately 5 mm in width parallel to the stem,             near Yellow-Green Group 151D in coloration when young, and             near Greyed-Orange Group 166B when fully mature. -   Leaves:     -   -   Leaflets.—number. 3, 5, and 7. — length: approximately 4.5             cm on average for a terminal leaflet, and approximately 3 cm             on average for a lower leaflet. — width: approximately 3 cm             on average for a terminal leaflet, and approximately 2 cm on             average for a lower leaflet. — shape: ovate with a rounded             base and an acuminate tip. — margins: serrate. — texture:             smooth on both surfaces and somewhat rough around the midrib             on the under surface. — overall appearance: attractive dark             green semi-glossy leaves. — color: upper surface: near Green             Group 137A. under surface: near Green Group 138B. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Number of flowers.—commonly approximately 6 or 7 blooms on             average in a cluster.         -   Peduncle.—near Yellow-Green Group 145A in coloration,             commonly approximately 6 mm in length, and approximately 2             mm in diameter.         -   Sepals.—upper surface: soft and very tomentose, and commonly             Yellow- Green Group 145A in coloration. under surface:             generally smooth, and Yellow-Green Group 145A in coloration.             — size: commonly approximately 2.5 cm in length on average,             and approximately 0.8 cm in width at the base. — number:             five.         -   Buds.—shape: generally ovoid. — length: approximately 2 cm             on average as the calyx breaks. diameter approximately 1 cm             as the calyx breaks. — color: near Red-Purple Group 57A when             opening.         -   Flower.—form: single. — diameter: approximately 7 cm on             average when fully open. — color: upper surface: near             Red-Purple Group 57B with Yellow Group 2D at the point of             attachment. under surface: near Red-Purple Group 57C with             Yellow Group 2D at the point of attachment. — fragrance:             none noticeable. — petal number: commonly approximately 7 or             8 on average under normal growing conditions. — petal drop:             the petals commonly detach cleanly and freely drop upon             maturity. — stamen number: approximately 80 to 90 on             average, and regularly arranged about the pistils. —             anthers: Greyed-Orange Group 163A in coloration. —             filaments: approximately 5 to 10 mm in length, and             Orange-Red Group 33B in coloration. — pistils: separate and             free, and commonly number approximately 50 to 60 on average.             — receptacle: achenes commonly are present on the bottom and             wall. -   Development:     -   -   Vegetation.—vigorous and strong.         -   Blossoming. abundant and substantially continuous during the             growing season.         -   Resistance to diseases.—good with respect to blackspot,             mildew, and rust.

Plants of the ‘Radsouth’ variety have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions. 

1. A new and distinct Landscape Shrub rose plant characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive single pink blossoms, (b) exhibits a mounding and bushy growth habit, (c) forms vigorous vegetation, (d) forms attractive ornamental dark green foliage with a semi-glossy finish, and (e) exhibits excellent resistance to blackspot; substantially as herein shown and described. 